Why I Resigned From AIIMS Jodhpur: The Harsh Truth of Medical Residency Ft. Dr. Anubhav

In this eye-opening episode of The Nachiket Bhatia Show, Dr. Nachiket Bhatia sits down with Dr. Anubhav, a former JR1 resident at AIIMS Jodhpur who made the difficult decision to resign from his residency. They unpack the harsh realities of medical residency in India, including 36-hour shifts, overwhelming workloads, mental harassment, toxic workplace culture, and the lack of adequate support for junior resident doctors. Rate your Medical College Here: https://forms.gle/9u4Wai9bmdDYzKjr6 From having just three Junior Residents managing an enormous workload in the Orthopedics department to the institutional response following tragic incidents like Dr. Raj Nilesh’s suicide, this conversation goes beyond individual experiences to examine the larger challenges within India's medical education and residency system. Dr. Anubhav shares what life inside an elite medical institution can really look like and why resident doctors are increasingly demanding safer working conditions, reasonable working hours, and meaningful mental health support. The conversation also explores the gap between the image of India's premier medical institutions and the reality experienced by residents on the ground. From protests and administrative responses to the normalization of extreme working hours and toxic environments, this episode raises important questions about how doctors are trained, how junior residents are treated, and whether the current residency system is sustainable for the next generation of doctors. What we unpack in this episode: The reality of being a JR1 resident at AIIMS Jodhpur Why Dr. Anubhav decided to resign from residency The pressure and workload faced by junior resident doctors 36-hour shifts and extreme working hours in medical residency The working conditions in the Orthopedics department How a small number of JRs manage an overwhelming workload Mental harassment and toxic culture in medical institutions The lack of adequate mental health support for resident doctors The institutional response following tragic incidents Protests and the reality inside India's elite medical institutes The double standards faced by doctors within hospital systems Why residency culture needs urgent reform Why safer working conditions matter for medical residents The future of medical education and doctor well-being in India This conversation is not just about one resident or one medical institution it is about understanding the larger challenges faced by junior doctors across India's medical education system. For medical students, NEET PG aspirants, resident doctors, medical professionals, and anyone interested in healthcare reform, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the pressures, working conditions, and systemic challenges that exist behind the white coat. 00:00 – The Reality of Toxicity in AIIMS Jodhpur 01:49 – Why Dr. Anubhav Left AIIMS Jodhpur 04:49 – Mental Health and the Decision to Resign 05:24 – The Sunday-to-Saturday Work Schedule 08:10 – 20–21 Hour Duty: What Was Happening? 09:09 – Only 3 Junior Residents in the Department 10:16 – How Understaffing Increased the Workload 13:44 – 36-Hour Shifts and Toxic Work Culture 18:42 – Administration’s Response After the Incident 22:20 – Resignation Penalties and Financial Pressure 28:00 – Why Were There So Few Residents? 33:52 – The Confrontation Over Professionalism 53:43 – Dr. Anubhav’s Advice to Medical Students CONNECT WITH US Dr. Nachiket Bhatia: Instagram: @dr.nachiket_bhatia If you believe medical residents deserve safer working conditions, reasonable shift hours, proper mental health support, and a healthier residency environment, Like, Share, and Subscribe to The Nachiket Bhatia Show. Share your thoughts, experiences, and perspectives in the comments below.